About 2 and a half years ago a dear friend of mine was drugged, sexually assaulted, and left to die by a couple of local boys in our community. Thankfully a friend just happened to stop by as the boys were leaving and discovered what had happened. Anyway, the case was initially handled by our good ole boy local system and evidence was contaminated. One of the rapists comes from a prestigious family in the community. Are you catching my drift???
The trial finally began yesterday only to be dismissed this morning by the judge. I don't know the exact reason for the dismissal but from what I've been told it had to with a typographical error in one of the reports. Over the past two years my friend would mentally prepare herself to go to court only to have the defense request a continuance. Her character has been slandered by the media on numerous occasions. Today's attempt is on this website http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/8192942.html.
Basically what I get from this is that when someone is raped, they are the ones who are put on trial NOT the rapist. This defense attorney basically stated that if a woman gets drunk (which was NOT the case in this situation) she is granting permission to be raped! As a result of this judge's decision, permission has been granted to the men our county to go out and assault whomever they want to because not a damn thing will be done about it. It also goes to show what money and a good last name will do for you!
I am outraged. I don't know exactly what to do. So, I did what I always do when I feel helpless, I wrote. I wrote a letter to the newspaper. It was a little bit more professional than this blog entry but basically stated the same things. Not that my letter is going to change the judge's decision or make my friend feel better but I felt like I had to do something.
I ask that you pray for my friend and her family. Thanks! J
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Saturday, June 23, 2007
The Beginning of Something Terrific!
I bought these sunglasses from Children's Place in the mall. They actually stay on Thomas' face and he doesn't try to pull them off. One night before bed, I put them on him to show his mommy and daddy how cool he looks. He loves being in his exersaucer too! Once we get the ok from the doctor's, I'll take him swimming again and get a picture of him in his swimmin' trunks, hat and glasses. What a little hottie!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Summer Break with Thomas!
Well, I've been here in Kenner, LA for two weeks now. I'm staying with my sister Molly and brother-in-law Eric for the summer to care for my nephew, Thomas while Molly makes up her maternity leave. She's decided to quit her job but she has to take care of some things before she can leave.
I'm not sure about this parenting thing anymore. I think I'd have to go back on my anxiety medication. Maybe its different with your own kids, but I worry nonstop with Thomas. Did I put on enough sunscreen, or will too much seep into his skin and cause some sort of learning disability later on in life, is he eating enough, does he feel safe with me, should I leave him at the gym daycare around other children who may be sick... the list goes on. Then along with the worry comes the guilt. He has an ear infection. Poor kid, he's only 3 months old and is taking his first dose of antibiotics! So, I feel guilty thinking that maybe I didn't do something right and that's why he's sick.
The first week was rough, because we had to get into a routine. He didn't want to nap because he wasn't used to being away from Molly all day. He screamed nonstop in the car which made for some very unpleasant car rides. As if driving around New Orleans without a screaming baby isn't bad enough!
This week was better. He's sleeping more. I can also tell the difference between his cries now. We have a routine that accomodates the both of us. After last week I realized that no matter how much crap I have to venture out with , saving my sanity is definitely worth the effort! We get up, I change him, we read a book, attempt some tummy time (not his most favorite activity), feed him and then we're out of the house. On days when the heat index is below 100 degrees, I take him for a walk outside in the stroller. This week we ventured to the aquarium, scrapbook store and some local shops. Next week, we'll attempt the zoo and the library. My sister got me a membership to her awesome gym. It has a daycare, so I can go workout for two hours while Thomas plays with other kiddos. Afterwards, I take Thomas swimming in their indoor pool. He loves the water. You'd think with all the exercise I've been doing I'd be skinny by the end of the summer, but I don't see that happening. I've also discovered the gym has a great food bar available too. I also realized that Cold Stone Creamery is within walking distance.
While I'm enjoying my time with Thomas, I miss the comforts of my own home. Molly and Eric have been wonderful to me, but I'm homesick. Today I went down to the French Quarter to venture around but I got a traffic ticket for not making a complete stop at a stop sign. I was so pissed off that I didn't even park and look around. Childish, I know, but all I could think about was how much the damn ticket was going to cost me. Which I still don't know the answer to because their system isn't computerized so I have to wait 7 days for my information to be processed. What really makes me angry is that the stop sign was covered by a tree, so I really thought I was just supposed to yield. Molly says I should contest the ticket but I really don't like the idea of going to Orleans Parish for court. I could see myself either crying like a blubbering idiot from nerves or worse, get arrested and have to spend the night in jail. NOt sure what I'd get arrested for but I've watched enough Lifetime TV to know they'd find a reason, and I'm guessing their jail isn't like the one in Wakulla County.
Besides Thomas, Molly and Eric, THERE IS NOTHING GOOD ABOUT NEW ORLEANS!!!!
Well, I guess that's about it. Pray that they get to move home soon and in the meantime, I won't lose my mind! Love, J
p.s. write me and let me know how things are with you.
I'm not sure about this parenting thing anymore. I think I'd have to go back on my anxiety medication. Maybe its different with your own kids, but I worry nonstop with Thomas. Did I put on enough sunscreen, or will too much seep into his skin and cause some sort of learning disability later on in life, is he eating enough, does he feel safe with me, should I leave him at the gym daycare around other children who may be sick... the list goes on. Then along with the worry comes the guilt. He has an ear infection. Poor kid, he's only 3 months old and is taking his first dose of antibiotics! So, I feel guilty thinking that maybe I didn't do something right and that's why he's sick.
The first week was rough, because we had to get into a routine. He didn't want to nap because he wasn't used to being away from Molly all day. He screamed nonstop in the car which made for some very unpleasant car rides. As if driving around New Orleans without a screaming baby isn't bad enough!
This week was better. He's sleeping more. I can also tell the difference between his cries now. We have a routine that accomodates the both of us. After last week I realized that no matter how much crap I have to venture out with , saving my sanity is definitely worth the effort! We get up, I change him, we read a book, attempt some tummy time (not his most favorite activity), feed him and then we're out of the house. On days when the heat index is below 100 degrees, I take him for a walk outside in the stroller. This week we ventured to the aquarium, scrapbook store and some local shops. Next week, we'll attempt the zoo and the library. My sister got me a membership to her awesome gym. It has a daycare, so I can go workout for two hours while Thomas plays with other kiddos. Afterwards, I take Thomas swimming in their indoor pool. He loves the water. You'd think with all the exercise I've been doing I'd be skinny by the end of the summer, but I don't see that happening. I've also discovered the gym has a great food bar available too. I also realized that Cold Stone Creamery is within walking distance.
While I'm enjoying my time with Thomas, I miss the comforts of my own home. Molly and Eric have been wonderful to me, but I'm homesick. Today I went down to the French Quarter to venture around but I got a traffic ticket for not making a complete stop at a stop sign. I was so pissed off that I didn't even park and look around. Childish, I know, but all I could think about was how much the damn ticket was going to cost me. Which I still don't know the answer to because their system isn't computerized so I have to wait 7 days for my information to be processed. What really makes me angry is that the stop sign was covered by a tree, so I really thought I was just supposed to yield. Molly says I should contest the ticket but I really don't like the idea of going to Orleans Parish for court. I could see myself either crying like a blubbering idiot from nerves or worse, get arrested and have to spend the night in jail. NOt sure what I'd get arrested for but I've watched enough Lifetime TV to know they'd find a reason, and I'm guessing their jail isn't like the one in Wakulla County.
Besides Thomas, Molly and Eric, THERE IS NOTHING GOOD ABOUT NEW ORLEANS!!!!
Well, I guess that's about it. Pray that they get to move home soon and in the meantime, I won't lose my mind! Love, J
p.s. write me and let me know how things are with you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
